The 2011 Romance List
Palazzina Grassi, Venice, Italy
A 16th-century former aristocrat’s residence was the blank canvas for Philippe Starck’s first foray into Italian hotel design. Emanuele Garosci, former rally driver and creator of Palazzina Grassi, chose the legendary French designer to create a five-star hotel that was ‘more like a private club’ and made guests feel ‘temporarily Venetian’. The result is nothing short of spectacular. Full marks must go to the location: on the Grand Canal, in the heart of one of the most romantic cities on the planet. Inside the hotel there are just 26 rooms and suites, their white, super-glam design providing a beautiful contrast to the public areas, where unique artworks, antique pieces, rare books and vintage objects jostle for attention beside huge custom-made Murano glass sculptures by artist Aristide Najean. In addition to must-try PG’s restaurant, which puts its own spin on the traditional Venetian cicchetteria or osteria, there’s a special room at the very top of Palazzina Grassi that’s traditionally reserved for honeymooners. It’s generally considered to be the most romantic spot in the entire hotel: no mean feat when every part of this sublime property was inspired by poetry, passion and romance...
Review from Ginny Cumming [Meet our Romance List Panel]
Why you'll love it
It’s dazzling contemporary design on a grand, and yet somehow ate, scale.